Inside The Nets

Ben Simmons Blasts His Own Performance: 'I Was Playing Like Sh-t'

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons has not been playing great

Joey Linn

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Ben Simmons is one of the most unique players in the NBA. A multi-time All-Star, Simmons seemingly plays out of position for his size and skillset, yet somehow his best attribute is suited perfectly for the position he plays. Listed as a point guard, Simmons is an incredible playmaker; however, without any outside shot, some believe he is best suited as a point-forward, or even a playmaker center.

Regardless of how one prefers to label Ben Simmons, the unique nature of his game makes him an exciting fit for the Brooklyn Nets, but also one that will take time to truly work well. Rather than chalking his poor play this season entirely up to inexperience with this group, Simmons was clear that he has not played well in multiple games so far.

"There's gonna be times where it's really ugly, like the other night for me. I've had a couple of games I was playing like sh-t," Simmons said.

Struggling to stay on the court due to foul trouble, Simmons has not gotten any kind of rhythm so far with the Nets. Having traded James Harden for him, Brooklyn needs Simmons to give them more than what he has so far. While he is an entirely different player than Harden, the team needs him to excel in the areas he usually thrives in. If he does, the fit should be great alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving; however, according to Simmons, there have been multiple times this year where that has not happened.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn32@sbcglobal.net Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis, insight, and reporting Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Receiving a media credential during the 2021-22 season, Joey has experience interviewing NBA players, and developing exclusive stories from these interviews. Having appeared on several different NBA podcasts over the last four seasons, Joey is now hosting his own podcast for The Sporting Tribune. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Now graduated, Joey is covering the NBA full-time across multiple platforms. Credentialed by the Clippers, Joey covers the team daily with articles, podcasts, and video breakdowns on YouTube. With four years of sports media experience, Joey provides expert insight and analysis for NBA fans across the league.

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